HISTORY OF THE EFFORT TO COMBINE 
INTO ONE SOCIETY THE 

Descendants of Revolutionary Sires 



BY EDWARD HAGAMAN HALL, L. H. M., L. H. D. 







HISTORY OF THE EFFORT TO COMBINE INTO ONE 
SOCIETY THE DESCENDANTS OF REVOLUTIONARY 

SIRES.* 

By Edward Hagaman Hall, L.H.M., L.H.D. 



A movement for the union of the National Society of the Sons of 
THE American Revolution and the General Society of the Sons of the 
Revolution began very soon after the formation of the National Society 
OF THE Sons of the American Revolution in 1889 ; but the overtures 
of the National Officers of The Sons of the American Revolution 
were not cordially reciprocated by those of the other Society, and little 
progress toward union was made for three years. The agitation of the 
subject, however, set in operation in the Society of the Sons of the 
Revolution influences favorable to an amalgamation, one of the fruits 
of which was the abolition of the "auxiliary" clause in their constitution 
which had been the bone of so much contention, and the adoption of a 
form of organization based more nearly on the representative American 
idea. About this time, several of the larger and more influential State 
Societies of The Sons of the American Revolution received invita- 
tions from Societies of the Sons of the Revolution in New York and 
elsewhere to join their General Society. Our Societies, so invited, feeling 
that as State Societies they could not, in good faith with their as- 
sociates, accept such invitations, replied that they could unite with the 
Society of the Sons of the Revolution only under a union of both Gen- 



*Reprinted from the Register for 1899 of the Empire State Society Sons of the American 
Revolution, for the information of those wishing to know the cause of the existence of rnor^ 
than one Society for the perpetuation of the memory of Revolutionary ancestors, 



eral Societies, upon terms mutually to be agreed upon. At length, after 
receiving distinct assurances, privately but repeatedly, that such a move- 
ment was actually desired by the Sons of the Revolution, the Con- 
necticut delegates to the Annual Congress of the Sons of the Ameri- 
can Revolution held in New York City, April 30, 1892, introduced 
the following resolution, which was adopted without dissent: 

Wherkas: There now exist in several States of the Union, Societies of tlie Sons 
of the Revolution and Societies of thk Sons of the American Revolution; and 

Whereas, The purpose and objects of these Societies are identical and their interests 
mutual; therefore 

-Resolved. That this organization hereby appoints Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut, to- 
gether with the Presidents of the State Societies of this organization in those States where 
both organizations exist, as a committee to consider union; and the Sons of the Revolution 
are hereby cordially and earnestly invited to appoint a similarly constituted committee of an 
equal number, in the sincere belief that by such a conference all difficulties' can be overcome and 
a fraternal imion of both organizations will be the happy result. 

A copy of the foregoing resolution was transmitted to the Sons of the 
Revolution, with the result that they took similar action. During the 
ensuing nine months, the committees appointed by the two Societies 
held frequent meetings, separately and jointly, at last agreeing to the 
following report which was submitted to the respective societies at 
general conventions held simultaneously in different rooms in the 
Mutual Life Building, New York City. February 16, 1893. At this 
time, the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution existed 
in over thirty states and numbered nearly 4,000 members, while the 
Society of the Sons of the Revolution existed in ten states with a mem- 
bership stated to be 2,364. 

To 

General Horace Porter, 

President General of the Sons of the American Revolution, ' 

and 

Hon. John Lee Carroll, 

President General of the Sons of tlie Revolution : 

The Committees of the Sons of the American Revolution and Sons of the Revolution, 
to whom was entrusted by their respective Societies the duty .of conferring upon the question 
of union of the two Societies, beg leave to present this, their joint report. 

First: They desire to express their gratification at the cordiality, harmony, and 
enthusiasm that have marked their deliberations, and the unanimity which has attended their 
conclusions. 

Second: The desirability of effecting a union being concurred in by all, the Committees of 
Conference addressed themselves at once to the consideration of the questions essential to the 
accomplishment of the desired result. These were: 

1. Name. 

2. Colors. 

I 3. Insignia. 

4. New Constitution. 
Third: The committees unanimously decided and do now recommend: 



1. That The Sons of the Amekican Revolution and Sons of the Revolution do unite 
in one organization. 

2. That the Society so constituted be named Sons of the Revolution. 

3. That its colors be buff and blue. 

4. That its insignia be, in its general features, that of The Society of the Sons of the 
American Revolution; that its seal be of the form hereinafter described. 

5. That its constitution be as follows: 

The Constitution of the General Society 

of the 

Sons of the Revolution. 

article 1. 
The name of the Society shall be the "Sons of the Revolution." 

ARTICLE 11. 

The objects of this Society are, to perpetuate the memory of the men who, in thfl 
military, naval or civil service of the Colonies and of the Continental Congress, by their acts 
or counsel, achieved the Independence of the Country; to further the proper celebration of the 
anniversaries of the birthday of Washington, and of prominent events connected with the War 
of the Revolution; to collect and secure for preservation the rolls, records and other docu- 
ments relating to that period; to mark by appropriate monuments historic places; to impress 
upon the present and future generations the patriotic spirit which actuated our ancestors and 
established the Republic of the United States, and to promote the feeling of friendship among 
its members. 

ARTICLE III. 

Any man is eligible to membership who is of the age of twenty-one years and who is 
lineally descended from an ancestor who, with unfailing loyality, rendered material aid to the 
cause of American Independence as a military officer, minute-man, soldier, sailor or maruie, 
or a civil official in the service of any of the several Colonies or States or of the United 
Colonies or States, whose services as such official shall appear by public official record made at 
the time, and provided such man be found worthy. 

Provided further, that when the claim of eligibility is based on the service of an ancestor 
as a civil official, such service must have been performed in the civil service of the United 
States, or of one of the tliirteen original States, and must have been sufficiently important in 
character to have rendered the official specially liable to arrest and imprisonment, the same 
as a combatant, if captured by the enemy, as well as liable to conviction of treason against 
the Government of Great Britian. 

And provided further, that when there shall be no surviving issue in direct lineal succession 
from an officer, minute-man, soldier, sailor or marine, who died or was killed in actual serv- 
ice, or from an officer who received by formal resolve the approbation of the Continental 
Congress for Revolutionary services, or from a signer of the Declaration of Independence, 
the claim of eligibility shall descend and be limited to one representative at a time in the 
nearest collateral line of descent from such ancestor, to be designated by the State Society; 
and no other descendants in collateral lines shall be admitted in right of any services whatever. 

The Board of Managers of each State Society shall have full and exclusive power to de- 
termine the qualifications as to worthiness and eligibility of applicants for membership under 
this Article, with power to accept or reject all applications. 

ARTICLE IV. 

The General Society shall be divided into State Societies, which shall meet annually on 



the day appointed therefor in their respective by-laws, and oftener, if found expedient. The 
Secretary of eacli State Society shall transmit to the General Secretary a list of its members, 
together with the names and official designations of those from whom such members claim 
membership, w itli a list of officers elected at each annual meeting. 

" ■ ARTICLE V. 

Tlie State Societies shall regulate all matters respecting their own affairs consistent with 
tlic general good of the Society, judge of the qualification of their members and of those 
proposed for membershi]), subject, however, to the provisions of this (.'onstitution, and may 
e.xpel any member who, by conduct unbecoming a gentleman or man of honor, or by an op- 
position to the interests of the community in general, or oi the Society in particular, may 
render himself unworthy to continue in membership. 



ARTICLE VI. 

The expenses of tlie General Society shall be borne by the State Society by assessment 
/To rala according to membership. 

Article VII. 

The regular meeting of the General Society shall be held every year on the last Wednesday 
of .\pril in the city of New York, unless otherwise designated, and special meetings may be 
held upon the order of the General President or upon the request of two of the State Societies, 
and such meetings shall consist of the General Officers and a representation from each State 
Society not exceeding one delegate from each one hundred members of such State Society 
and every fraction of one hundred over fifty, and cx-officio, the President, Secretary, Registrar 
and Historian of eacli State .Society, and two delegates-at-large from each State Society. 

Tlie expenses attending the annual meetings of the General Society shall be borne by the 
General Society. 

article VIII. 

At the regular meeting a General President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, 
Chaplain, Registrar and Historian shall be chosen by a majority of the votes present, to serve 
until the next regular general meeting or until their successors are duly chosen. 

The General Society shall have power at any meeting to admit State Societies thereto, 
and to entertain and determine all questions affecting the qualification for membership in, or 
the welfare of, any State Society, which may by proper memorial be presented by such State 
Society for consideration. 

article IX. 

The Insignia of the General Society shall be a cross surmounted by an eagle in gold or 
silver, and a rosette. 

The cross shall be of silver, with fovu" arms, and eight white-enameled points, same size as 
llie Chevalier's Cross of the Legion of Honor of France, with a gold medallion in the center, 
bearing on the obverse a bust of Washington in profile, and on the reverse the figure of ai 
minute-man surrounded by a ribbon enameled buff and blue, with the motto, "Libertas et 
Patria," on the observe, and the legend, "Sons of the Revolution," on the reverse, both in 
letters of gold. The cross shall be surmounted by an eagle in gold or silver, and the whole 
decoration suspended from a ring of gold by a ribbon of dark blue, ribbed and watered, edged 
with buff, one and one-quarter inches wide and one and one-half inches in displayed length, 
and may be worn by any member of the Society on ceremonial occasions only, and shall be 
carried on the left breast, or, if an officer, on the collar, and shall never be worn as aiu 
article of jewelry. The custodian of this insignia shall be the General Secretary, who shall 
issue the same to the members of the Society under such proper rules as may be formulated 
by the General Society, and he shall keep a register of such issues, wherein each insignia issued 
may be identified by the number thereof. 



The rnselte sliall lie seven-sixteenths of an incli in iliumeter. of usual pattern, displaying 
the colors of the Society, an<l may be wcirn by all members at discretion in the npjicr left-hand 
button-hole of the coat. 

ARTICLE X. 

The Sea! of the General Society of the Sons of the Revolution shall be one and seven- 
eighths of an inch in diameter and shall consist of llie figure of a minute-man in Contiuenlal 
Uniform standing on a ladder leading to a belfry and holding in his left hand a musket and 
an olive branch, and grasping in his right hand a bell rops; above, the cracked "Liberty Bell;" 
issuing therefrom a ribbon, bearing the motto of the Sons of the Revolution, "Exegi Moiut- 
mciitiim Aire Percniiiiis :" across the top of the ladder, on a ribbon, the ligures "1775," and at 
the left of the minute-man, and also on a ribbon, the figures "1783;" the v/hole encircled by a 
band three-eights of an inch wide, thereon at the top thirteen stars of live point;-, each, and at 
the bottom the legend, "Sons of the Revolution;" the following being a fac-simile thereof. 

The custodian of the seal shall be the General Secretary. 

ARTICLE XI. 

This Constitution may be amended, provided two-thirds of the members of the General 
Society present at any general meeting or special meeting shall approve, and provided further, that 
notice of such motion to amend, specifying such proposed amendment in full, shall be given 
in writing to the presiding officer of the Cieneral Society and of each State Society at least 
si.xty days before such motion is to be considered. 

Fourth: That this proposed luiion may be made effectual this Committee fvu'ther recom- 
mends: 

1. The presentation of its report to the respective National Societies of the So.vs or the 
American Revolution and Sons of the Revolution at meetings to be called for that purpose 
on Thursday, the 16th day of February, 1893, in the City of .\ew York, and the adoption at 
such meetings of a resolution recommending the union of the two societies and the adoption, 
of the proposed Constitution. 

2. At a joint meeting, immediately thereafter, of llie two General Societies, the adoption 
of the new Constitution and election of officers, to serve until the last Wednerday of ,\prd, 
1894, or until their successors are elected. 

-Ml of which is respectfully submitted. 
New York, December 22, 1892. 

FRED'K S. TALLMADGE, 

President of the Sons of the Revolution of I'le 
State of New York. 

JONATHAN TRUMBULL, 

President of the Connecticut Society Sons of the 
American Revolution. 

CHAS. H. WOODRUFF, 

Delegate New York Sons of the Revolution. 

nOR.\CE PORTER, 

President General Society Sons of the American 
Revolution and Chairman General Conference 
Committee. 

JOHN LEE CARROLL, 

General President Society of Sons of the Revolution. 

BRADLEY T. JOHNSON, 

President Maryland Society Sons of the .\meriorin 
Revolution. 

EDWIN SHEPARD BARRETT, 

President Massachusetts Society Sons of the American 
Revolution. 



JOHN WHITEHEAD, 

President New Jersey Sons of the American Revo- 
lution. 

O. H. ERNST, 

Delegate from District of Columbia Sons of the 
Revolution. 

\VM. RIDGLEY GRIFFITH, 

Delegate from Maryland Society Sons of the 
American Revolution. 

THOMAS W. HALL. 

Delegate from Maryland Society Sons of the Revtf 
lution. 

SAM \V. PENNYPACKER, 

Delegate Sons of the Revolution of Pennsylvania. 

RICHARD McCALL CADWALADER, 

Vice-President and Delegate Sons of the Revolution 
of Pennsylvania. 

CHARLES HENRY JONES, 

Delegate Sons of the Revolution of Pennsylvania. 

ROBERT LENOX BELKNAP, 

Delegate New York Society Sons of the Revolution. 

JAMES MORTIMER MONTGOMERY, 

Secretary of Committee of Conference. 
Genera! Secretary Sons of the Revolution. 
Secretary of Sons of the Revolution State of New 
York. 

NATHAN WARREN, 

Registrar Massachusetts Society Sons of the American 
Revolution. 

This plan proved far from satisfactory to the larger Society, 
The Sons of the American Revolution, for it (1) surrendered our 
name for that of the Sons of the Revolution; (2) gave up our colors 
for theirs; (3) abandoned our seal for theirs; and (4) proposed a Con- 
stitution composed largely of verbatim provisions from theirs, and 
containing many objectionable features. Among the latter was the 
provision admitting members by collateral descent. The Sons of the 
American Revolution prided themselves especially upon their exclu- 
sion of "collaterals" and the incorporation in the proposed Constitu- 
tion of the "collateral" provision of the Sons of the Revolution was 
regarded as a lowering of the standard of eligibility to which the 
"American" Sons were extremely reluctant to accede. Nevertheless, so 
earnest was the desire of the S. A. R. Congress to efifect a union, that 
the delegates reluctantly yielded their preferences and unanimously 
adopted the following resolution : 

Resolved, That the Report he accepted and its recommendations adopted, and that when we 
aTljourn it be to meet in joint session with the Sons of the Revolution to carry into effect the 
recommendations of said Report and perfect the union of the two Societies. Provided, that 
we reserve the right of every individual member of either body to offer any amendment, which 
he may think proper to the plan of union or the Constitution, for the cotasideration of the joint 
meeting of the two Societies. 



This action was announced to the Congress of the Sons of the Revo- 
lution, with the resuh that, after the midday recess, the Sons of the 
Revohition sent to The Sons of the American Revolution a dele- 
gation, headed hy Fredk. S. Tallmadge, President of their New York 
State Society. Mr. Talhnadge addressed The Sons of the American 
Revolution, rehearsing tlie elTorts of the joint Committee to prepare 
a satisfactory report, stating that "every ground was gone over," and 
continuing : 

"This meeting, as we understand it, is to adopt or reject that Report and that Constitution, 
and if there is anything imperfect about it that needs amendment, let it be made at some 
future time. But when we are just on the eve of uniting under the same roof, with our hearts 
lieating almost as one, don't let us, for a trifling objection, leave and part to-night, perhaps 
to meet no more." 

He then announced that the Sons of the Revolution had adopted the 
following resulution : 

"Resolved, That we recommend the union of the Sons of the Revolution and Tun Sons 
OF THE American Revolution, and the adoption of the Con.stitution proposed by the com- 
mittees of said Societies by the Report received at this meeting." 

and concluded as follows : 

"We desire, as it is towards the close of the afternoon, that you will pass a resolution 
similar to that and that my friends who are here (for I am proud to call them such) will 
simply say, Away with debate! Away with amendments! Let the future take care of itself. 
Let us unite with one name and one country." 

Upon the withdrawal of the delegation of the Sons of the Revolution, 
the President General of The Sons of the American Revolution, 
Cieneral Horace Porter, delivered with great dignity, earnestness and 
force a strong appeal to his compatriots to exercise patience and self- 
sacritice, and accept the proposed hasis of union. Some further dis- 
cussion ensued, resulting in the adoption verbatim by the S. A. R. of 
the resolution reported by Mr. Tallmadge as adopted by the Sons of 
the Revolution, to wit : 

Resolved, That we recommend the union of the Sons of the Revolution and The Sons 
OF THE American Revolution, and the adoption of the Constitution proposed by the Committee of 
said Societies by the Report received at tlie meeting." 

This action was communicated to the Sons of the Revolution, who 
informed the Committee conveying the resolution that they would be 
down-stairs in a few moments for the joint Congress. 

After an interval of an hour and a half, several Sons of the Revolu- 
tion appeared at the door of The Sons of the American Revolution, 
and the latter rose to their feet and began to applaud. The Sons of 
the Revolution, however, proved not to be the whole Congress, coming 
for the purpose of union upon the terms now mutually agreed upon, but 
a committee conveying an entirely new proposition. The proposition 
of the Sons of the Revolution was that each General Society appoint 

7 . 



a coininittee of two members, with power to select a fifth person who 
should belong to neither Society, who should examine the membership 
credentials of both Societies and should erase from the list of member- 
ship in each of the Societies the name of an}' member, from whose 
credentials and application it api>eared that he was not entitled to mem- 
bership under the requirements of Article III. of the Constitution just 
adopted. As soon as the revised membership list had been certihed to 
the President-Generals of the two Societies, the}' were to call a joint 
meeting of the Societies for the adoption of the Constitution (which 
had already been adopted), and for the election of officers; and "said 
Constitution, if approved at such meeting, together with the proceed- 
ings of this conference or meeting, shall be submitted for final ratifica- 
tion to the various State Societies." 

The astonishment of The Sons of the American Revolution at 
this new proposition was apparent in the absolute silence with which 
the remarks of the spokesman were received. The Sons of the 
American Revolution had no objection to the scrutiny of their mem- 
bership papers, as they regarded their membership credentials, based 
on lineal descent, superior to those of the other Society ; but they con- 
sidered the proposal a violation of the agreement just adopted by both 
Societies which provided that in order "that this proposed union may 
be made effectual, " the respective National Societies should, on Feb. 16, 
1893, pass a resolution recommending union and adopt the proposed 
constitution (as had been done), and at "a joint meeting, immediately 
thereafter of the two General Societies [should occur], the adoption of 
the new constitution and election of officers to serve until the last 
Wednesday of April, 1894, or until their successors are elected." The 
departure from the terms of the agreement was considered the wider in 
view of statements made earlier in the day by Mr. Tallmadge of the 
Sons of the Revolution to The Sons of the American Revolution 
that "every ground was gone over" and his earnest plea to "away 
with amendments," etc. After the S. A. R. had yielded reluctantly to 
this plea and repressed their desired amendments, the Sons of the 
Revolution appeared with a radical amendment of their own. 

The proceedings in the Congress of the S. A. R. after the withdrawal 
of the Committee of the Sons of the Revolution were brief. After a 
few remarks, making clear the position of the Society, the following 
resolution was unanimously adopted : 

"Resoh'ed. That we disapjirove of the motion as not pertinent to Paragraph 4 of the Report 
of the C"ommittee, and we request the other Society now to unite with us and to adopt the 
Constitution in accordance with that paragraph." 

This action was communicated to the Sons of the Revolution, who 
stood by their new proposition as unanimously as The Sons of the 



American Revolution had rejected it; upon learning which, The Sons 
OF THE American Revolution adjourned sine die. 

Apropos of the subject of membership credentials may be quoted the 
following passage from the official report of the Committee of Confer- 
ence of the S. A. R. on the foregoing proceedings : 

"The refusal of our Society to agree to this new measure was, in no way, attributable to any 
hesitation on our part to submit our records and credentials to a full and proper examina- 
tion Our confidence in our own credentials and in the Society with which we were 

in treaty was such that a fully representative preliminary conference of our delegates had 
agreed, by unanimous vote, on the evening of February 15th, to nominate and support the elec- 
tion of the present General Secretary of the Sons of the Revolution as General Secretary of 
the proposed united Society. He would thus have been the officer to whom, under the proposed 
Constitution, the credentials of our various State Societies would have been submitted for in- 
spection, and for presentation, after his approval, to the united General Society. The powers 
conferred upon him would have been fully as great as the powers proposed to be conferred upon 
the Joint Committee to wliose appointment we were unwilling to agree, besides having the 
merit of authority under the constitution which was to be adopted before tlie election of officers. 
The election of this officer, which would have been unanimous on our part, would then, virtually, 
have placed the inspection of membership in the hands of the Society of Sons of the Revolution, 
in accordance with its previous usages. It was one of the many concessions we were prepared 
to rnake, and had already made, to that Society, not with any desire to adopt its name, colors, 
seal or officers, but simply in the belief that the importance of uniting the two Societies was 
l)aramount to any questions of mere courtesy ui)on which we might have insisted." 

The failure of the Congresses of 1893 to unite, did not, however, put 
an end to the movement. The cordial relations existing between indi- 
vidual members and individual State Societies of the two General 
Societies gave evidence, of the hearty sentiment still existing in 
favor of an amalgamation, and the belief entertained by The Sons of the 
American Revolution that the action of the Congress of the Sons of the 
Revolution on Feb. 16, 1893, did not represent the prevailing sentiment 
of that Society, led them the more readily to forget the irritating incidents 
of the late unsuccessful effort. During the next three years the mutual 
disposition for union increased and on April 20, 1896, the General Society 
of the Sons of the Revolution, at its triennial meeting in Savannah, Ga., 
adopted resolutions extending. a fraternal invitation to The National 
Society of the Sons of the American Revolution to unite with them 
in a single Society. This was cordially met by the following resolutions 
adopted by the National Congress of The Sons of the American 
Revolution at Richmond, Va., April 30, 1896: 

"VVniiKtAs, Tut National Society or the Sons oi' the American Revolution notes, with 
t:incere gratilication, the growing sentiment in favor of a union with the Society of the Sons 
of the Revolution, upon terms which shall be well considered and etiuitable, and which shall 
tend to promote the honor, dignity and largest usefulness of the Societies and the patriotic 
and public spirited objects for which both are organized; and 

"Whereas, The General Society of the Sons of the Revolution in trieiinial meeting as- 
sembled in the city of Savannah. Ga., April 20, inst., did adopt resolutions, extending a sincere 
^iid fraternal invitation to The National Society of tjie Sons of the American Revolution 
to unite with them in a single Society; and, 

WuERAs, The National Society of the Sons of iMr. American Revolution is iieartily. 



sincerely and fraternally desirous of a consolidation of the two Societies, upon a well-considered 
basis, and is anxious to submit its rolls of membership tu a most rigorous and searching examina- 
tion by a com.petent and disinterested tribunal, in order that it may, once for all, in the eyes 
of all men, supply the indubitable proof of the eligibility of all its members, as lineal descend- 
ants of Revolutionary ancestors; now, therefore, 

Be it Resolved, By The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, 
in annual Congress assembled in the City of Richmond, Va., April 30, 1896, that we do hereby 
send our most fraternal and cordial greetings to the General Society of the Sons of the Revolu- 
tion, and declare, without reservation, our strong, sincere desire for a consolidation of the two 
Societies into a single Society, upon a well-considered basis of union. 

Resolved, That we do hereby instruct the General Officers of this Society to submit the 
membership rolls and the original credentials and applications, on which membership has been 
granted, for a fresh examination to a competent and disinterested committee, so constituted by 
mutual agreement of the (leneral Otficers of both Societies as to command the entire confidence 
of both the uniting Societies, said committee to indicate the person or persons in each Society 
who shall not have indubitable proof of lineal descent from a Revolutionary ancestor, in ac- 
cordance with the plan of consolidation agreed to by the Committees of Conference in 1893, 
but now voluntarily amended by the Sons of the Revolution by omitting the paragraph which 
provides for the admission of "collaterals;" and The National Society of the Sons of the 
American Revolution does hereby pledge itself to erase from its rolls of membership the names 
of all persons, indicated by said committee as not having indubitable proof of lineal clescent. 

Rcsol-tcJ. That we hereby empower the General Officers of this Society to appoint a com- 
mittee of able, competent and disinterested men, who shall confer with a like committee of eqvial 
size, appointed by the General Ofificres of the Sons of the Revolution, to agree upon a basis for 
the union of the two Societies, to the end that said plan of union, together with the report 
of the Committee on Revision of the Membership Rolls, may promptly be transmitted by the 
General Officers of both Societies to their respective State Societies for approval, so that when 
a majority of the State Societies of each organization shall have approved the same, said 
General officers may cause a special Congress of the I'nited Societies to be elected, upon the 
basis of Ihe new Constitution to form a national organization. And, further, we do hereby 
liledge The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, heartily and sin- 
cerely, to labor for the removal of every possible cause of disagreement between the two 
Societies, and to effect a satisfactory union at the earliest possible dates. 

Resolved, That the President-General and the Secretary-General of this Society are instructed 
immediately to communicate this preamble and accompanying resolutions to the officers of the 
General Society of the Sons of the Revolution, with the assurance of our fraternal regard and 
our desire that a union of the two Societies may speedily be effected. 

This action was followed by an exchange of correspondence between 
the General Officers of the two Societies. 

An May 9, 1896, The Sons of the American Revolution com- 
municated their resolutions to the other Society. 

On May 25, 1896, the Sons of the Revolution wrote that they were 
l)repared to appoint a committee to examine credentials, and that 
after the membership rolls had been revised they were prepared to unite 
in a call for a Congress of the two Societies for union on the basis "of 
the Constitution agreed upon by both Societies, February 16, 1893, as 
amended by the General Society of the Sons of the Revolution at its 
triennial ireeting in Savannah on the 20th day of April, 1896." This 
amendment by the Sons of the Revolution consisted of the elimination 
of the provisions for membership by collateral descent. 

On May 29, 1896, The Sons of the American Revolution replied, 
inviting the General Officers of the other Society to meet their National 

lO 



C)l'ficers at the Waldorf Hotel, at 3.30 p. m., June 3d, for the purpose of 
selecting Ijy nuitual agreement a committee on memhersliip credentials; 
promising to strike from their rolls the names of any members found 
disqualihed for membership ; and calling attention to the omission of 
the Sons of the Revolution to respond to the proposition for a joint 
committee on basis of union. The Sons of the American Revolu- 
tion said that the basis agreed upon in 1893 was unsatisfactory in view 
of existing knowledge and conditions and cited the important amend- 
nient proposed by the Sons of the Revolution as a precedent for further 
modification in the line of improvement. 

On June 3, 1896, at 3.30 p. m. the National Officers of The Sons of 
the American Revolution assembled at the Waldorf Hotel, to meet 
the General Officers of the other Society, but none appeared. 

On June 8, 1896, the Sons of the Revolution wrote that they had nc> 
power to appoint a committee on basis of union ; that they considered 
the basis "concluded by the terms of the agreement adopted in 1893," 
although they insisted on their amendment, adopted April 20, 1896. 

On July 28, 1896, The Sons of the American Revolution wrote 
in part as follows : 

"The resolutions of your Society, adopted at Savannah, looked to the formation of a single 
Society, upon the terms of union set forth in the proposed constitution of February 16, 18J3, 
with an amendment thereto. It was, therefore, naturally supposed that, as your Society hrid 
made an amendment to that document, without consultation with this Society, the privilege 
sliould be accorded to this Society of taking steps looking to the making of other amendments 
in consultation with your Society. 

"Some of the reasons for believing that it is necessary for both Societies to have conference 
committees take up the plan of reorganization anew are as follows: 

"The proposed constitution of 1893 was prepared when the Societies were small and without 
large experience in the means of carrying out the purposes of a great national patriotic organiza- 
tion. Oi the present members one-half, perhaps, of each Society have joined since the proceedings 
of 1893; and it would seem fair that they should have a right to be heard in a matter of such 
importance as a constitution for the government of a permanent union of these organizaitions. 

"The proposed constitution' of 1893 is so defective that it is believed that your officers will 
agree that a large Society could not possibly work successfully under its provisions. For in- 
stance, the last paragraph of Article HI, states that the Board of Managers of each State Society 
shall have full and exclusive power to determine the qualifications of applicants for membershin, 
with power to expel or reject all applications. Article VIII. says that the General Society 
shall have power to admit State Societies and determine all questions affecting the qualific.i- 
tions of membership which may, by proper memorial, be presented for consideration. This 
language is confusing and seems to be contradictory. 

"Besides, that constitution makes no provision for the filing of a copy of the credentiiis 
of members with the Registrar General of the National Society, and does not sufficiently define 
his duties or give him enough power to fix his responsiblity in passing upon the validity of 
credentials. 

"It prescribes the form of a seal which we are informed, was long ago adopted by the 
Washington Continental Guards of New York City, which, having used the seal for many 
years, would apparently be entitled to continual use of the same without infringement. 

H 



"It names the last Werlnesday in April as the day for the annual meeting, when it has 
been the custom of hoth Societies to meet on some patriotic anniversary which gives a meaning 
and a purpose to the occasion. 

"It also provides that the larger Society shall take the exact name of the smaller Society, 
and it is assumed that that would mean coming vinder the charter of the latter Society, and 
he a complete and absolute absorption by one Society of the other, instead of a union of the 
two. The Society of the Sons of the American Revolution has never intimated, and does 
not now even suggest, that its name be adopted by the joint Society, hut thinks that possibly 
some eiiually good title, not the exact name of either Society, might he acceptable to both; for 
instance, the Society of the Revolution or the Society of the American Revolution. The adop- 
tion of some such name would be following the almost universal custom in naming patriotic 
Societies, among which may be named the Society of the Cincinnati, the Society of Colonial 
Wars, the Society of the Colonial Dames, the Society of Foreign Wars, the Society of the 
Army of the Potomac, etc., etc. ... It is advisable, also, to reconsider the subject of 
name, for the reason that the plan of consolidation should provide for the largest possible 
usefulness and grandeur of the United Societies. The Sons of the American Revolution 
already have a Society in the new republic of Hawaii, where no society of this class could 
probably exist undti the name simply of -Sons of the Revolution." It is entirely practicable 
to form branch Societies in other foreign lands, if the title' be specific in indicating that it is 
the American Revolution from which eligibility is derived. 

"Again: The constitution of "93 makes no provision for organizing Chapters in the different 
States. The formation of Chapters is becoming a prominent feature in The Sons of the 
American Revolution; it does much for the convenience of the members, and is important as 
a means of enlarging the membership. 

"It therefore seems beyond dispute that the proposed constitution of 1893 in its present 
form is seriously defective and obsolete. 

"If, however, your officers decline even to appoint the conference committee proposed. 
we would be glad to be informed whether they will, vinder the circumstances, wish to pro- 
ceed with the work of scrutinizing the credentials of the members in both Societies. If so. 
our General Officers instruct me to say that they will be most happy to enter at once upon that 
branch of the subject, in the hope that the eliminating of one point of dispute will bring the 
organizations that much nearer a union desired by all. 

Upon August 11. 1896, the Sons of the Revolution wrote that they 
considered the request of The Sons of the American Revolution for 
a joint committee on basis of union a rejection of their invitation; that 
they had no authority from their Society for such a committee ; and 
that as the examination of credentials could be of value only in case of 
prospective union, they could not appreciate the importance of the ap- 
pointment of a Committee on Credentials unless they were assured that 
The Sons of the American Revolution would act on the lines of 
their invitation. 

On September 21. 1896. The Sons of the American Revolution 
replied to the foregoing, concluding as follows : 

"We understand, that your Society, by correspondence and without the holding of a per- 
sonal conference between your officers and ours, rejects all our propositions looking to bring- 
ing about such action, and instead of co-operating with us with a view to forming a basis of 
union by mutual agreement, insists upon an absorption of our Society by yours, by taking your 
name, acting luider your charters and conducting the business under a constitution, which has 
been shown in a previous letter to be seriously defective, obsolete and practically impossible 
for both. We can only, therefore, express our extreme regret that in spite of the earnest 
efforts made by this Society, both in 1893 and in the present year, the much desired negotia- 
tions for union have been brought to a standstill." 

12 



Matters remained in statu quo until the adoption of the followini^ 
resolulions by the ( ieneral Society of the Sons of the Revolution at its 
meeting in Pliiladelphia, Pa., April 19, 1897: 

WiiP.RKAs. TiiF Sons nr the American RF.voLUTinN. in rcspoiT^e to the invitatimi contained 
ill tlie lesohuinn passed by this Society at Savannali in April, l.HOf). liave signiued their willing- 
ner;s to iniite with ns in one national organization. 

VViiKRKAs, We regard, and believe that they regard the acliial union of the two .Societien 
as of such paramount importance that the settlement of the details of union should be sub- 
ordinated, as far as consistent with the honor and dignity of both Societies, to the accomplishment 
of that end; therefore. 

Resolved, That A. IT. Pugh, T. E. Abbott, Timothy L. Woodruff, Horace K. Tenney and 
Caillard Hunt shall be a committee of fiv.e with full power to fill any vacancies in behalf of 
the General Society of the Sons of the Revolution; and we respectfully request Thi! National 
Society of the Sons of the American Revolution to appoint a like committee of five in its 
own behalf, these two committees of five each to constitute together the above-named joint 
Committee of Conference on basis of union, which shall consider the Constitution and plan oi 
union of 1893, and all proposed changes thereto, and come to an agreement, if possible, re- 
specting a new general Constitution and a plan of union between the Societies. Each con- 
stituent committee of five shall report to its own General Assembly the results of the conference, 
together with its own recommendations respecting them. 

Resolved. That our own General Officers are instructed to arrange as soon as possible with 
the General Officers of The Sons of the American Rfvollition for the appointment of a 
joint Committee of Revision of the membership rolls, which shall be prepared at least as early 
as October 12, 1897, to make to the two General Assemblies an exhaustive report, in accordance 
with the resolutions passed at Savannali and Richmond in April, 1896. 

Resolved, That we, the General Society of Sons of the Revolution, hereby appoint an 
adjourned meeting of this General Assembly to be held in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 12, li?97, 
at 11 a. m., and we respectfully request Tite National Society of Sons of the American 
Revolution, provided the joint Committee of Conference on basis of union shall have arrived 
meanwhile at an agreement, to hold a General Assembly of their own in the same city at the 
same time, in order that the two General Assemblies may then take action upon the report of 
the two joint committees. 

Resolved. That our General Secretary is hereby instructed to transmit a copy of these resolu- 
tions to the Secretary General of The Sons of the .American Revolution. 

The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolu- 
tion responded to the foregoing by adopting the following resolutions at 
its meeting in Cleveland, April 30, 1897 : 

Whereas, The Society of the American Revolution, in Congress assembled at Cleveland, 
have received a friendly overture from the General Society of the Sons of the Revolution look- 
ing toward the union of the two Societies, a sincere and hearty response to the same is 
hereby tendered; and, 

Wherea.s, The National Society of the Sons of the .\merican Revolution, recognizing 
the strong and constantly increasing sentiment of the membership favoring organic union with 
the Society of the Sons of the Revolution, upon terms that shall be honorable to both Societies, 
desires to use all reasonalile efforts towards a consummation so desirable; be it 

Resolved, That James M. Richardson, of Ohio; Hon. E. J. Hill, of Connecticut; Samuel E. 
Cross, of Illinois; George H. Shields, of Missouri, and Nathan Warren, of Massachusetts, be 
and they are hereby appointed a Committee, with full power to confer with the Committee 
appointed by the General Society of the Sons of the Revolution on the subject of union between 
that Society and The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, including 
power to provide by the appointment, as soon as practicable, of an additional committee, if 
necessary, for such revision of the membership rolls of the two Societies as may seem expedient. 

13 



Renoh'cd, That an adjourned meeting of this Congress shall be held in Cincinnati, October 
12. \i\^7. at )1 A. M.. iirovidfd ihf joint Coinrniltee t.n Pnion shall have agreed on a basis of 
nnion, to lie re]ioited at lliat date. 

Rcsolvcil. That onr Secretary Cencral is hereby instructed to transmit a coi>y of these 
rer.ohitioiis to the General Secretary of the Sons of tlie Revolution. 

The joint committee ap])ointed in pursuance of the foregoing reso- 
lutions worked assiduously during the next few months, and when the 
two national bodies met in different rooms in the Grand Hotel in 
Cincinnati, Oct. 12, 1897, the following report was presented. For 
convenience of future reference, the three amendments subsequently 
made are indicated in the following text. The words in very small type 
inclosed in brackets were in the report as presented, but were stricken 
out by the two conventions, upon motion of the Sons of the Revolution. 
The words in italic type were not in the report as presented but were 
inserted by the conventions as noted hereafter : 

To Edwin Shepard Barrett. President-General of the National Society of the Sons of the 
American Revolution, 

And John Lee Carroll, General President of the General Society of the Sons of the 
Revolution : 

The committtees of The Sons of the American Revolution and the Sons of the Revolu- 
tion, who were appointed by their respective Societies to confer together upon the subject 
of union of the two Societies, beg leave to report jointly for the consideration of each 
Society the result of their labors. 

First: They were profoundly impressed by evidences of a universal sentiment favoring 
union reaching them from members of both National Societies, as well as with tlie cordiality 
and harmony inspiring the memliers of the Committees, who approached the difficuh and deli- 
cate task assigned them with great deliberation and with a deep sense of responsibility. 

Second: The two Committees met, on the call of their respective Chairmen, in a joint 
conference on basis of Union, and after a careful consideration of the Constitution and Plan 
of Union of 1893, and proposed changes thereto, unanimously decided upon and do now recom- 
mend the adoption of the following Basis of Unicm: 



Basis of Union. 

1. The members of the two National Societies unite in forming the National Society of 
the .\merican Revolution by the adoption of the Constitution hereinafter following and the elec- 
tion of officers as provided therein, at a meeting to be held jointly in the city of Cincitiuati, 
Ohio, October 12, 1897. 

2. The General I'oard of Managers shall designate the Colors, Seal and Insignia and 
direct a rule or rules for wearing Insignia and use of Colors. 

3. The Insignia of either or both existing Societies may be worn on ceremonial occasions 
with the Insignia of the United Society or alone. 

4. The State Societies of both existing Societies shall report the adoption of a Con- 
stitution in accordance with the new National Constitution, to the Secretary General promptly 
on that action being taken, or united State organization effected. 

5. The Treasurer-General of each existing National Society shall turn over to the new 
Treasurer-General when he shall be duly qualified, all balances in their respective treasuries, 
taking his vouchers therefor. 

14 



6. The Registrars-General of tlie two existing Societies shall turn over all records and 
documents in their respective offices to tlie new Registrar-General wlien he shall have been 
duly (lualified, taking his voucher therefor. 

7. The Constitution recommended herein shall become operative by virtue of its ratification 
liy the delegates of a majority of the States of each National Society voting at the joint 
meeting of the two National Societies contemplated. 



Constitution 



of the 



National Society of the American Revolution. 



PREAMBLE. 



\Vc, the lineal descendants of Revolutionary Sires, inspired by the heroic deeds of a 
liberty-loving ancestry, in orde^ to forni a more perfect union of patriotic men, to foster true 
patriotism and love of country; to cherish and maintain the institutions of American freedom, 
do ordain this Constitutimi. 



ARTICLE I. 

The name of the Society shall be "The Society of the Amirjcan Ri:vi)Lutk)N." 

ARTICLE II. 

The objects of this society are, to perpetuate the memory of the men who, in the military, 
naval or civil service of the Colonies and the Continental Congress, by their acts or counsel, 
achieved the Independence of this country; to further proper celebrations of the anniversaries 
of the birthday of Washington, and of prominent events connected with the War of the Revolu- 
tion; to collect, publish and secure for preservation the rolls, records and other documents 
relating to that period; to mark by appropriate monuments historic places; to impress upon the 
present and future generations the ])atriotic spirit which actuated our ancestors in establish- 
ing the Republic of the United States, and to promote the feeling of friendship among its 
members. 

15 



ARTICLE III. 



Section 1. Any male person above the age of twenty-one years, of good character, and 
a lineal descendant of an ancestor who shall be proven by official record or other equivalent 
evidence to have served as a military, naval, or marine officer; soldier, sailor, or marine, in 
actual service, under the authority of any of the thirteen Colonies or States, of the Con- 
tinental Congress, or Vermont, or a lineal descendant of one who signed the Declaration of 
Independence, or of one who, as a member of the Continental Congress, or of the Congress 
of any of the Colonies or States, or as an official appointed by or undei the authority of any 
such legislative bodies, actually assisted in the establishment of American Independence by overt 
acts of resistance to the authority of Great Britain during the War of the American Revolution, 
prior to the declaration of peace, in 1783, shall be eligible to membership in the Society. 

Provided, That when the claim of eligibility is based on the service of an ancestor in the 

"minute men" or "militia," it must be satisfactorily shown that such ancestor was actually called 

into the service of one of the thirteen original States, or Vermont, or United States, and per- 
formed military duties; and 

Provided further; That when the claim of eligibility is based on the service of an ancestor 
as a "sailor" or "marine," is must in like manner be shown that such service was other than 
shore duty and regularly performed in the Continental Navy, or the Navy of one of the original 
thirteen States, or Vermont, or on an armed vessel, and other than a merchant ship, which 
sailed under letters of marque and reprisal, and that such ancestor of the applicant was duly 
enrolled in the ship's company, either as an officer, seaman, or otherwise than as a passenger; and 

Provided further, The when the claim of eligibility is based on the service of an ancestor 
as an "official," such service must have been performed in the Civil Service of the United States, 
or of one of the thirteen original States, or Vermont, and must have been sufficiently important 
in character to have rendered the official liable to arrest and imprisonment, the same as a 
combatant, if captured by the enemy. 

In the construction of this article, the Volunteer .Vides-de-Camp of Ceneral Officers in the 
Continental Service, who were duly announced as such and who actually served in the held 
during a campaign, shall be comprehended as having performed qualifying service. 

No service of an ancestor shall be deemed as qualifying service for membership in The 
Society of American Revolution where such ancestor, after assisting in the cause of .American 
Independence, shall have subsequently either adhered to the enemy, or failed to maintain an 
honorable record throughout the War of the Revolution. 

No person shall be admitted unless he be eligible under one of the provisions of this 
article, nor unless he be of good mora! character and be judged worthy of becoming a member. 

Section 2. That every member of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution and of The 
Society of the Sons of the American Revolution in good standing at the time of the adoption 
of this constitution, who has been admitted to either of these societies under their respective 
constitutions and the by-laws of their respective Naional Societies, shall be enrolled as a 
member of this society; subject, hon'ceer, to the afpforal of the Joint Committee on Rcvijion 
oj Membership Rolls. 

Section 3. Applications for membership shall be made to any State Society, in duplicate, 
upon blank forms prescribed by the General Board of Managers, and shall in each case set 
forth the name, occupation and residence of the applicant, his line of descent, and the name, 
residence, and services of his ancestor or ancestors in the Revolution, from whom he derives 
eligibility. The applicant shall make oath or affirmation that the statements of his application 
are true, to the best of his knowledge and belief. Upon the approval of an application by the 
State Society, to which it is made, one copy shall be transmitted to the Registrar-General of 
the National Society, who shall examine the same and upon approval notify the Secretary of the 
State Society. If satisfied that the application is not properly made out, he shall return it for 
correction. No election of a new member shall lie valid, unless his eligibility shall be ajiprovcd 
by the Registrar-General. 



i6 



ARTICLE IV. 



NATIONAL AND STATK SOriKTIFS. 



Sfttion 1. The Xational Societies shall embrace all the memliers of the State Societies 
now existing, or which may hereafter be estahlishe<l muler this Constitntion. 

SKmoN 2. Whenever in any State or Territory, in which a State Society does not exist, 
nr in which a State Society has become inactive or failed for two years to pay its annual 
dues to the National Society, iifteen or more persons duly qualified for membership in this 
Society may associate themselves as a State Society of the [War for American Independence*] 
Amei-icau Revoliitinn. and organize in accordance with this Constitution; they may be admitted 
by the General Board of Managers of the National Society as The Society of the Ameri- 
can Revolution, and shall thereafter have exclusive local jurisdiction in the State or Territory, 
or in the District in which they are organized, subject to the provisions of this Constitution; 
this provision shall not be construed so as to exclude the admission of members living in 
other States. 

Section 3. Each State Society shall judge of the qualifications of its members and of 
those proposed for membership, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, and shall regu- 
late all matters pertaining to its own affairs. It shall have authority to establish local chapters 
v\ithin its own jurisdiction and to endow the chapters with such power as it may deem proper 
not inconsistent with this Constitution. It shall have authority, after due notice and impartial 
trial, to expel any member, who, by conduct unbecoming a gentleman, shall render fiimself 
unworthy to remain a member of the Society. 

Section 4. Each State Society shall submit to the Annual Congress of the National Society 
a report, setting forth, by name, the additions, transfers and deaths, and any other changes 
in the membership and progress of the State Society during the preceding year, and make such 
suggestions, as it shall deem proper for the promotion of the objects of the whole Society. 

.Section S. Whenever a member, in good standing in his Society, changes his residence 
from the jurisdiction of the State Society of which he is a member, to that of another, he 
shall he entitled, if he so elects, to a certificate of honorable dimission from his own State 
Society, in order that he may be transferred to the State Society to whose jurisdiction he 
has changed his residence; provided, that his membership shall continue in the former, vintil 
he shall have been elected a member of the latter. Each State Society shall, however, retain 
full control of the admission of members by transfer. 

Section 6. Whenever the word "State" occurs in this Constitution, it shall be held to 
include within its meaning the District of Columbia and the Territories of the United States. 

Section 7. A Society may be formed in any foreign country by fifteen or more persons 
who are eligible to membership under this Constitution, which shall bear the same relation 
to the National Society as a State Society, subject to the provisions of this Constitution. 



* The above amendment was for the correction of a typographical oversight, and has an 
interesting history. In the preliminary negotiations of the conference committees, the Sons of 
the Revolution had proposed the name "Society of the Revolution" and the Sons of thk 
American Revolution proposed the name "Society of the American Revolution." When it 
ajipeared that the Sons of the American Revolution would tenaciously adhere to the word 
".\merican" and the Sons of the Revolution as tenaciously oppose it, Lieut. Gov. Woodruff 
of the latter proposed as a compromise the title "The .Society of American Independence." 
Mr. Warren, of the Sons of the American Revolution proprosed the insertion of the words 
"the War for," making the title, "The Society of the War for American Independence." This 
title was regarded as cumbersome by both committees, but seemed to be the best that could be 
agreed upon and was printed in the report which it was proposed to submit to the two con- 
ventions on October 12, 1897. On October 11, however, Messrs. Pugh and Hunt of the Sons of 
the Revolution informed Mr. Richardson of the S. A. R. committee that the S. R. were willing 
to accept the title proposed by the S. .\. R., and at a joint meeting that evening, the title 
"Society of the American Revolution" was adopted. In the reports hastily reprinted for sub- 
mission the following day, the title was not corrected in the above instance. 

17 



ARTICLE V. 



OFFICERS ANT. MANACF.RS. 



Section 1. The General Officers of the National Society shall he, Presiiient General, five 
Vice-President-General, Secretary-General, Assistant Secretary-General, Treasurer-General, As- 
sistant Treasurer-General, Kegistrar-General, Assistant Kegistrar-Cieneral, Historian-General, 
Chancellor-General and Chaplain-General, who shall be elected by ballot by vote of the majority 
of the members present at the annual meeting of the Congress of the National Society and shall 
hold office for one year and until their successors shall be elected. 

Section 2. The* General Officers shall constitute the General Board of Managers of the 
National Society, which Board shall have authority to adopt and promulgate the By-Laws of the 
National Society, to prescribe the duties of the General Officers to provide the seal, to designate 
and make regulations for the issue of the insignia, and to transact the general business of the 
National Society during the intervals between the sessions of the Congress. Meetings of the 
(ieneral Board may be held, after not less than ten days' notice, at the call of the President- 
General, or, in case of his absence or inability, at the call of the Senior Vice-President-General, 
certified by the Secretary-General. Meetings shall be called at the request of seven mem- 
bers. At all such meetings seven shall constitute a quorum. 

Section 3. An Executive Committee of seven, of whom the President-General shall be the 
Chairman, may be elected by the Board of Managers, which Committee shall, in the interim 
between the meetings of the Board, transact such business as shall be delegated to it by llie 
Board of Managers. 



ARTICLE VI. 



Each State Society shall pay annually to the Treasurer-General to defray the expenses of 
the National Society, twenty-fjve cents for each active member thereof. All such dues shall 
V)c paid on or before the first day of April in each year, for the ensuing year, in order to 
secure representation in the meetings of the National Society. 



ARTICLE VII. 

MEETINGS AND ELECTIONS. 

Section 1. The annual meeting of the National Society for the election of the General 
Officers and for transaction of business, shall be held on the 19th day of April of each year, 
unless the same falls on Sunday, when it shall be held on the 20th. The time, hour and place 
ot such meeting shall be designated by the Board of Managers. 

Section 2. Special meetings of the Congress may be called by the President-General, and 
shall be called by him when directed so to do by the Board of Managers, or whenever requested 
in writing so to do by at least three State Societies, on giving thirty days' notice, specifying 
the time and place of such meetings and the business to be transacted. 

Section 3. The following shall be memoers of all sucli annual or special meetings of the 
Congress and shall be entitled to vote therein: 

(1) All the officers and ex-Presidents-General of the National Society. 

(2) The President and Secretary of each State Society as delegates at large. 

(3) One delegate from each State Society for each one hundred members of the Society 



within a State, and for a fraction of fifty members or over. 

i8 



ARTICLE VIII. 



AMENDMKNTS. 



This ronstitiition may be altered or amended at any meeting of the National Society, 
wlien tlie same shall have been recommended l)y a State Society. A notice of the proposed 
amendment or alteration shall be sent by the Secretary-General to the President of each 
Society sixty days in advance of snch meeting. .An affirmative vole of twotliirds of the States 
present shall be necessary for their adoption. 



ARTICLE IX. 

This Constitntion shall take effect wlien ratified by a majority of the [States of each 
National Society voting in Joint Meeting] State Societies of each National Society. 

We would respectively recommend that in the event of the adoption of our report by 
the two National bodies to whom it is submitted, that they immediately meet together in 
joint session for the purpose of completing the organization herein provided for. 

For the Sons of the Revolution: For the Sons of the American Revolution: 

ACHILLES HENHV PUGH, JAMES M. RICHARDSON, 

Chairman, Chairman, 

TIMOTHY L. WOODRUFF, GEORGE H. SHIELDS, 

HORACE KENT TENNEY, NATHAN WARREN, 

GAILLARD HUNT. EBENEZER J. HILL, 

SAMUEL EBERLY GROSS. 

The Congress of The Sons of the American Revolution adopted 
the report of the Joint Committee unanimously without amendment. 
About 5.30 p. M. a committee from the Sons of the Revolution appeared 
and reported that they had adopted the constitution by a majority * with 
some amendments. (The amendments are indicated in the foregoing 
text.) They reported that they had also adopted the following: 

"Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to communicate the action of this Gen- 
eral Society of the Sons of the Revolution to The Nation.\l Society of the Sons of the 
American Revolution, which has been taken upon the question of the union of the two 
Societies, and upon the question of the adoption of the new Constitution, and that said Com- 
mittee be empowered to request similar action upon the part of The National Society of the 
Sons of the American Revolution. And, further, to agree upon a time and place of meeting 
of the Joint Committees of the two Societies, for the purpose of fully perfecting the union of 
the two Societies in the event of a majority of the State Societies approving of the action 
of the General Society." 

"Resolved. That each State Society of the Sons of the Revolution and The Sons of the 
American Revolution shall submit the papers of their respective Societies to the Registrar of 
the other Society for examination. That after such examination shall be had each Registrar 
shall certify to the eligibility of each member of the other Society under the National Con- 
stitution of the Society of which he is a member. In case any doubt shall arise as to the correct- 
ness of any paper, then such, doubtful paper shall be submitted to the Joint Committee on Re- 



* It was subsequently stated that the delegation of 16 States voted for the Constitution, 10 
voted against it, 1 was divided, and 3, including the New York delegation, did not vote. 

19 



vision of Membership Rolls. Tn case there is any jurisdiction in which there is only one Society. 
such pai>ers sh;ill also be snlmiitted t" the said Joint Committee on Revision of Meniberslii)i 
Rolls." 

''Resok'cd. That the Committee on the Revision of Trolls, appointed under tlie resolution 
adopted Ajiril 19, 1897, be and is hereby continued in office, and is authorized and directed 
to at once proceed, in conjunction with the Committee appointed for that purpose by The Sons 
OF TiiK American Rkvoi,ution, to examine, in accordance with the provisions of the Consti- 
tution as amended, reported by the joint conference, the rolls of the members of Thk 
National Society or the Sons of the American Revolution and tlie General Society of the 
Sons of the Revolution, for the purpose of ascertaining whether any member in either society 
is not in fact entitled to membership therein. And upon the report of the Joint Committee 
tlius formed all members not found to have been entitled to membership in their respective 
National Societies, under their own Constitution and By-Laws, be held not to be entitled to 
membership of the Society of the American Revolution, but stricken from their rolls, unless 
within such reasonable time as shall be approved by said Committee such memliers shall prove 
their rights to such membership." 

Upon the withdrawal of the Committee of the Sons of the Revolu- 
tion, The Sons of tpie American Revolution unanimously accepted 
and adopted the resolutions and amendments proposed by the former 
society. They appointed Dr. E. M. Gallaudet, of District of Columbia, 
Maj. Chas. K. Darling, of Massachusetts; Gen. George H. Shields, of. 
Missouri; Stephen M. Wright, of New York, and L. E. Holden. of 
Ohio, a committee having the same purpose and authority as the corre- 
sponding committee of the General Society of the Sons of the Revolu- 
tion, and to act with the latter committee. They also appointed as a 
Committee on the Revision of Rolls, A. Howard Clark, of District of 
Columbia, D. \\\ Manchester, of Ohio ; \\'illiam S. Stryker, of New- 
Jersey; Edward Hagaman Hall, of New York, and \\'illiam J. Rhees, of 
District of Columbia. 

The corresponding committees appointed by the Sons of the Revolu- 
tion were as follows : Committee to agree upon time and place of meet- 
ing of the United Society in the event of ratification ; Achilles Henry 
Pugh, Rudard Hurd, Gaillard Hunt, Persifor M. Cooke and E. Morgan 
Wood. Committee on Revision of Rolls, Charles Henry Jones of 
Pennsylvania, T. E. V. Smith of New York. R. F. Stevens of New 
Jersey, H. O. Thompson of Maryland and Rudard Hurd of Minnesota. 

Upon the adjourment of the Cincinnati conventions, the proposed 
Constitution was submitted to the State Societies for ratification. The 
Empire State Society of Sons of the American Revolution voted 
upon the question at a special meeting held November 15, 1897. at 
which 456 votes were cast in favor of ratification and 7 against. The 
other Societies voted at their convenience, with the following result: 

20 



Ratifying: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Dis- 
trict of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, 
Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mitmesota. 
Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsyl- 
vania, Rhode Island, Utah, A'ermont, Virginia, Washington, West Vir- 
ginia and Wisconsin. 32. 

Rejecting: Oregon. 1. 

Not acting: Connecticut. 

No reports: France, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Texas 4. 

The New York Society of the Sons of the Revolution voted upon 
the question at a meeting held November 16, 1897, at which a wide 
divergence of opinion was manifest. Those opposed to union :noved 
the rejection of the Cincinnati Constitution outright. Those in favor 
of union moved to amend by providing for the appointment of a com- 
mittee which should propose such, modifications as would meet the 
objections. The amendment was lost by a vote of 142 to 162 and ^ater 
the motion to reject was carried by a vote of 171 to 67. 

On March 16, 1898, the General Secretary of the Sons of the Revolu- 
tion reported that their State Societies had voted as follows: 

Ratifying: District of Columbia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, 
Minnesota, and Ohio. 6. 

Rejecting: California. Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, 
Maryland, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North 
Carolina, Pennsylvania. South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and 
Washington. 17. 

No action : Colorado and Missouri. 2. 

A majority of the State Societies of the Sons of the Revolution 
having refused to ratify, the union failed to become effective, and f^onr 
parlcrs between the two Societies upon the subject have ceased. 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





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Hollinger Corp. 
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